My Love For Skin Nutrition
As someone who faced significant facial skin challenges in my younger years, I’ve always been fascinated by the role of diet and supplements in maintaining good skin health.
That’s why I’ve written extensively on topics ranging from adult acne to eczema psoriasis and quite often in antiaging skin nutrition.
I have a strong feeling that people are compelled in this matter, and I am more than happy to oblige.
It’s also the case that many of the same foods that I want people to eat more often for other health reasons also tend to improve skin health.
There is also an important role for supplements.
Focus on collagen supplements
Which brings me to today’s post – a collaboration with Pure North Naturals examining the evidence-based antiaging skin benefits of hydrolyzed collagen supplements.
The opinions and scientific conclusions presented in today’s post are my own, but the content package I’ve created is sponsored by Pure North Naturals.
Pure North Naturals features marine and bovine collagen peptides that provide 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen per serving.
We’re about to find out how far that can take you.
The antiaging benefits of hydrolyzed collagen
The insights shared in today’s post are largely derived from a recently published 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients newspaper.
This comprehensive review paper looked at a total of 26 randomised, controlled human trials involving over 1,700 participants aged between 20 and 70 – the vast majority of whom were women.
Before we get into the science, let’s start with a brief introduction to what collagen is.
An introduction to collagen
Collagen is a unique protein that supports and directs the growth of connective tissue and accounts for the majority of the non-water content of human skin.
Our body’s ability to produce collagen decreases as we age, which is one of the complex reasons behind the skin aging process characterized by wrinkles and a decrease in skin thickness, elasticity and hydration.
People spend a lot of time and money on expensive topical and injectable treatments to mitigate these biological realities, but hydrolyzed collagen supplements represent one of the most affordable and effective ways to contribute to youthful skin – alongside a healthy diet of course.
The Nutrients Collagen Study Summary
Dosage
The studies in this meta-analysis used between 2.5-10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen per day from different sources, including marine and bovine.
The wide range of effective doses is helpful for those who may be sensitive to supplements or who, in very rare cases, experience gastrointestinal issues with larger doses.
Duration
The majority of studies looked at collagen supplementation over a period of 4-12 weeks, with some evidence suggesting that the benefits of use are greater over a longer period.
Benefits
The two main outcomes that improved in a statistically significant manner after collagen supplementation included:
- Increase in skin elasticity
- Increase skin hydration [moisture]
Elasticity
Skin elasticity decreases with age and generally refers to your skin’s ability to stretch or move and return to its original position. As elasticity decreases, wrinkling and sagging of the skin are more likely.
Collagen plays an important role in forming the skin’s structural network, and supplementation with collagen peptides appears to provide “anti-wrinkle” benefits.
Hydration
Skin hydration refers to the amount of water your skin can hold. Well-hydrated skin can appear smoother and brighter, while dry skin can appear more flaky and dry.
Collagen supplements stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, and hyaluronic acid is the fundamental molecule responsible for the skin’s ability to retain water.
The Science of Collagen – From Mouth to Skin
Above and beyond the measurable benefits of collagen supplements, I wanted to close today’s article with a discussion of how collagen works in the human body.
The following summary was compiled from a 2023 review paper by Cureus newspaper.
Step 1 – Ingestion
Hydrolyzed collagen is absorbed and travels through the bloodstream in the form of di- and tripeptides where they then accumulate in various body tissues – including your skin.
Over time, this build-up leads to a normal response in your skin.
Step 2 – Response
As previously mentioned, collagen peptides stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid leading to improved water retention and skin hydration.
These peptides stimulate collagen production in the skin, which improves the skin’s natural barrier and explains the elasticity benefits associated with collagen supplementation.
They also stimulate the production of Filaggrin, a protein required for the optimal formation and functionality of the skin barrier.
More information about Pure North Naturals
Pure North Naturals is proudly Canadian made with an emphasis on using only the highest quality ingredients and rigorous third party testing.
You can find a link to their collagen peptide supplement above – they also carry a marine version.
Special thanks to their team for further motivating me to pursue my scientific side and explore this important and highly relevant topic in the world of skin health and anti-aging nutrition.
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed preparing it.
Until next time,
Andy De Santis RD MPH
